Photo: Nadine Ness

The Saskatchewan NDP is concerned by a new petition floating around which calls for a Saskatchewan separation referendum.

A written NDP release is demanding that Premier Scott Moe speak out against Saskatchewan separatism following the launch of an online petition by the Unified Grassroots organization and its founder, Nadine Ness.

The Unified Grassroots website states that “The purpose of the referendum on Saskatchewan’s Sovereignty is to empower the provincial government to negotiate new terms for Saskatchewan’s relationship whether as part of Canada or as an independent nation.”

The NDP release refers to Ness as Moe’s friend and longtime ally. NDP Jobs and Economy Critic Aleana Young writes that “In 2021, Moe spoke with its leader, Nadine Ness, for a full hour – a sign of their influence over the Sask. Party’s political agenda.”

The UG petition currently has 1831 signatures, and 125000 are required before it will be presented for approval.

The NDP say Moe didn’t give a clear answer to reporters last Thursday on whether he supported a referendum on separating from Canada. The party also says that he refused to tell reporters how he would vote if such a thing were to occur.

However, last week during Question Period, Moe stated that “the government of Saskatchewan is not interested in separation.”